Johnny's Bar

On this frigid night, even a sigh
makes my dreams turn to ice and shatter.
When I hide underneath the rusted neon sign,
I break out into a frozen smile.

Among the people gathered with their lost dreams,
there I saw Uncle Johnny, in the corner of the bar,
and only when I'd forgotten about the time
did I listen to Johnny's story.

"Forget about ever getting those times back,"*
Johnny had said that day
with a laugh.
"If you want your dreams back, leap and go catch them."
In the night that beats on my back,
and in my heart, such tenderness...
It's Johnny's smile.

When my dreams were lost back then,
I was told to skip the laughter.
In knowing that our hearts don the same pants,
I've felt at peace.

"When getting to know sadness, people get stronger,"
Johnny had said that day
with a laugh.
"There's a time when life isn't worth living,"
he mumbled on the couch.
In my heart, such loneliness...
It's Johnny's smile.